UChicago Medicine Completed New Cancer Pavilion
A new 575,000-square-foot facility on the South Side aims to improve local access to comprehensive cancer care.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Cancer
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UChicago Medicine and the AbbVie Foundation have finished construction on a massive new cancer center designed to serve the South Side. The facility is expected to open for patient services in April 2027.
Why it matters
The pavilion aims to reverse a trend where two-thirds of South Side patients previously had to travel outside their community to receive inpatient cancer care. By localizing these services, the center seeks to address significant disparities in medical access for local residents.
The 575,000-square-foot pavilion is the result of five years of planning and construction to address the statistic that more than half of South Side cancer patients previously left the area for care. The project's full operational capacity and staffing ratios remain under development.
The players
UChicago Medicine
An academic health system that provides advanced specialty care and serves as a major research hub in Chicago.
AbbVie Foundation
The philanthropic arm of a global biopharmaceutical company that focuses on funding research, community outreach, and health infrastructure.
American Cancer Society
A national nonprofit organization dedicated to cancer research, patient support, and public health advocacy.
The details
The facility design was heavily influenced by direct community engagement with patients, caregivers, and clinicians to ensure a family-centered approach. Beyond core medical services, UChicago Medicine and the American Cancer Society plan to develop a supplemental site east of the campus to provide additional patient accommodations.
Timeline
Construction on the pavilion was officially completed on September 24, 2026.
The new facility is scheduled to begin accepting patients in April 2027.
Health Landscape
This project represents a major expansion of the long-standing research partnership between UChicago Medicine and the AbbVie Foundation. It transitions their collaboration from laboratory-based medical research toward the direct provision of community-centered cancer infrastructure.
South Side residents who have historically traveled outside the area for treatment should monitor announcements regarding the transition of clinical services to the new site. It is worth discussing with your doctor how this upcoming facility may simplify access to specialized oncology care.
The takeaway
The addition of this facility aims to keep more cancer care within the South Side community. Patients should keep an eye on official hospital updates as the April 2027 opening date approaches to understand how their future oncology appointments may be impacted.
What happens next
The pavilion is slated to open for patient services in April 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations and care standards in our Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Chicago Maroon.
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